Barok van Zieks (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
discourtesies) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
songerein2023-02-03 05:35 pm
discourtesies) wrote in songerein2023-02-03 05:35 pm
Entry tags:
open ⚔️ fall
Who: Barok van Zieks & ... you.
Which: Open log
Where: At Day's End bar, around town
What: Recovering recluse overworks himself at his bar. Also, deals with monsters that messed him up last year in ways other than suggested.
Warnings: alcohol, violence against monsters
⚔️ A(t Day's End)
[The local bar and winery has a new employee or two now, meaning that van Zieks has taken it upon himself to supervise them near-constantly. While the bartender does their best not to let the stern man's intimidating gaze get to them, they may not always be able to hide their trepidation—but hopefully they don't get your order wrong. Barok isn't only there to be judgmental about his workers, however, and is always ready to offer a recommendation for the wines they have available.
Even though a private upscale establishment would have been his preference had he originally set out alone, he's determined to keep up what his former business partner put so much work into... just for the principle of the matter. That doesn't mean he's going to tolerate disruptive behavior. If anyone looks like they're about to cause a ruckus in the bar, they will soon find a veritable statue of a man standing over them.
Speaking of disruptions, van Zieks will be doing his best to usher any invasive gnomes AROUND customer ingress and egress thank you. They can do whatever it is they're doing without tripping up his customers—and as a result, there may be the occasional standoff between gnomes and owner. Later in the month, one may find him investigating the walls and floors carefully with a tilt of his head closer to those surfaces, attempting to make certain there are no noises within...
When he's not constantly keeping himself busy, one might find his scowl almost looking somber closer to the holiday and the more people speak of significant others and related topics, bringing an occasional fog around his feet. But more commonly, if he's not actively doing something or other around the bar, people might be surprised to find the stone-faced man dozing off in a corner or just by the door to the back. The fact that he's doing that standing up may almost be impressive.]
⚔️ B(leeding Hearts)
[Outside of the bar, however, he quickly finds reason to stay on constant alert, thanks to the reappearance of certain winged creatures with glowing red chests. As soon as he spots one of the things, however it may try to hide itself or avoid anyone, he immediately moves to against them—regardless of what suggestions anyone might offer towards purification or the possibility that it might only be trying to observe or escape.]
Begone.
[Hopefully the cloaked shadow that suddenly appears above him to strike the beasts with a scythe of ice doesn't frighten anybody overmuch.]
⚔️ Wildcard
[OOC: You know the drill.![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
lumieresdedragon, PM or DragonLights on the songerein discord. Hit me up!]
Which: Open log
Where: At Day's End bar, around town
What: Recovering recluse overworks himself at his bar. Also, deals with monsters that messed him up last year in ways other than suggested.
Warnings: alcohol, violence against monsters
⚔️ A(t Day's End)
[The local bar and winery has a new employee or two now, meaning that van Zieks has taken it upon himself to supervise them near-constantly. While the bartender does their best not to let the stern man's intimidating gaze get to them, they may not always be able to hide their trepidation—but hopefully they don't get your order wrong. Barok isn't only there to be judgmental about his workers, however, and is always ready to offer a recommendation for the wines they have available.
Even though a private upscale establishment would have been his preference had he originally set out alone, he's determined to keep up what his former business partner put so much work into... just for the principle of the matter. That doesn't mean he's going to tolerate disruptive behavior. If anyone looks like they're about to cause a ruckus in the bar, they will soon find a veritable statue of a man standing over them.
Speaking of disruptions, van Zieks will be doing his best to usher any invasive gnomes AROUND customer ingress and egress thank you. They can do whatever it is they're doing without tripping up his customers—and as a result, there may be the occasional standoff between gnomes and owner. Later in the month, one may find him investigating the walls and floors carefully with a tilt of his head closer to those surfaces, attempting to make certain there are no noises within...
When he's not constantly keeping himself busy, one might find his scowl almost looking somber closer to the holiday and the more people speak of significant others and related topics, bringing an occasional fog around his feet. But more commonly, if he's not actively doing something or other around the bar, people might be surprised to find the stone-faced man dozing off in a corner or just by the door to the back. The fact that he's doing that standing up may almost be impressive.]
⚔️ B(leeding Hearts)
[Outside of the bar, however, he quickly finds reason to stay on constant alert, thanks to the reappearance of certain winged creatures with glowing red chests. As soon as he spots one of the things, however it may try to hide itself or avoid anyone, he immediately moves to against them—regardless of what suggestions anyone might offer towards purification or the possibility that it might only be trying to observe or escape.]
Begone.
[Hopefully the cloaked shadow that suddenly appears above him to strike the beasts with a scythe of ice doesn't frighten anybody overmuch.]
⚔️ Wildcard
[OOC: You know the drill.
A.
It's Ryunosuke's first time actually stepping foot in here, and he's already suitably impressed... Mostly by how relaxed and almost cozy the atmosphere feels. Very not on brand for Barok, at least to his mind; he's seen the man's office before, and this does not line up. Instead of a gigantic space that's all cold stone and gothic looking arches, this place is all wooden construction, and warm lighting that illuminates a small but functional space.
It's still sort of early in the day, so there doesn't seem to be a ton of activity going on when he walks in. Maybe he should have come by when it was busier, now that he thinks about it... It's going to be extremely obvious that he's just here to kind of be a looky-loo, rather than as a potential paying customer.
Maybe he's gotten lucky though, because for a second, it does seem to be the case that Barok isn't here right now. Ryunosuke finds himself feeling sort of strangely disappointed about that... There is a bartender on duty, and two patrons seated at the bar across from where he's wiping down some glasses. The pair are having a rather loud conversation about their valentines plans, while the bartender only occasionally chimes in when prompted. But the prosecutor himself? He seems to be conspicuously absent...
As Ryu steps in to take a better look around, his eyes fall to the floor briefly, and that's when he catches sight of a strange mist creeping across it. He follows with his eyes, tracing back to somewhere behind the bar... And that's when the defense attorney gets a bit of a jumpscare. His eyes unexpectedly land upon the looming presence of Barok van Zieks, half hidden in the shadows, looking even more sour than his typically low baseline.
TERRIFIC.]
O...OH! Lord van Zieks! You are here! [Ryunosuke laughs, sheepish and awkward.] Fancy that...
[Is that fog coming from HIM!?]
no subject
... Mr. Naruhodo.
[A greeting, of sorts. If he were closer to the norm he's reached here, he might even go so far as to offer the man a seat, or a menu, or even a drink. Unfortunately, his mood is too dark for that sort of thing. Instead, what he says is:]
I had not expected to meet you here.
[Perhaps he should have, given how nosy the attorney has been in the past. He never struck Barok as the sort to have an interest in fine wine, though he'd not given it much thought in the past.]
no subject
[Just fully copping to the nosiness here. Not even trying to hide it.]
...So I thought to myself, now might be as good a time as any? Though, um, if you're busy, I can... Always come back a different time, if you prefer.
[Or not at all! That's an option too, if his presence is going to provoke such an unhappy reaction.
Also, what's up with that fog, anyway? Does van Zieks even realize he's making it...?
...Also also, did he just say that last part out loud, or in his head?]
no subject
... But that would be stupid at this point, even if that muttered remark didn't escape his notice. Don't mind the slight narrowing of his eyes.]
As you can see, there is little occupying my time at the moment. I was contemplating an investigation of our stock in the back room just a moment ago.
[Did the bartender just let out a sigh of relief at the idea?]
no subject
That is to say: while he and van Zieks may be getting along far better now than they have in the past... And there may be a sort of unique sense of trust between the two of them, after everything they've been through together... They're still not really... Buddies? Ryunosuke still doesn't know how to approach this guy and like, make small talk, or have a casual conversation with him.
But. Maybe he should try to learn? They're both here in this weird dream world. He might as well?]
...Perhaps I could accompany you? I'd be interested in seeing more of the place.
(insert investigation music)
All of that is to say that Barok's acceptance of the idea comes faster than Ryunosuke might have expected, despite the lack of anything resembling cheeriness in his tone.]
As you like.
[Expecting the younger man to follow, he turns to open the door not far from where he was standing, taking his mist with him. It's far more of van Zieks's style within than the bar itself, if the darkness and sound of the stone floors under his heels are any indication.
Once his eyes adjust, Naruhodo will see the far wall has the expected stacks of oak barrels, but along the other walls are crates of already-bottled drinks, including wines, ciders, juices and others; spare chairs and stools; and several stacks of glasses of various sizes, including van Zieks's own special chalices. In the middle rests a table with various instruments for the tasting and preparation of drinks and cocktails, jars of herbs, spices and plant cuttings, as well as a notebook or two.
The prosecutor-turned-vintner steps towards one those crates, picking up a notebook along the way.]
LOL HE'S GOIN FOR IT
Ryunosuke, meanwhile, is still grappling with the inertia of having just found a purpose in life, only to have it yanked away from him.
He hasn't complained about it, of course. Not even once... But it has been a bit difficult for him to cope with. Truthfully, he needs something else to apply himself to, but... Well, it's not as if Reverein is in need of a judicial system. And he wasn't exactly swimming in drive before he became a lawyer.
Anyway... He's pleasantly surprised at the acceptance of his request, and hurries to follow along after the man, his curiosity piqued. The immediate shift in the atmosphere between the cozy bar in the front and the cold stone back here is almost amusing, really, and he can't help but say as much:]
Ah... Yes, this is more the sort of setting I expected of an establishment run by you, Lord van Zieks.
[nodding approvingly, Ryunosuke manages to make it a neutral enough sounding statement... Enough to have plausible deniability that he's not making fun, anyway. But there's just a hint of something teasing to the way he says it, too.
His eyes skim around the storeroom, taking everything in, before falling on the familiar chalices.]
Wait, are those...? You managed to get some of your hallowed chalices? Here?
no subject
Given the circumstances of our meeting in this world, you're questioning the appearance of my chalices?
[Even van Zieks has come to the point where little surprises him to see—at least externally. He wonders if Ryunosuke will come to the correct conclusion as to how they got here, though. They're identical to those back home in every way Barok ever distinguished.]
I have donated some few to this establishment and its patrons for special occasions.
no subject
[Annnnd barrelling right past that backhanded insult, which he probably doesn't even realize he just made... He gets a little closer and peers at the fine crystal, one hand on his chin.]
But you're right, I suppose it's not really all that strange... I assume you must have used one of those wishing baubles?
no subject
A reasonable use for those trinkets, but in this case, no. [It's a decent guess—and a decent idea, if he ever needed it.] I was led to believe you have a knack for discerning unusual solutions?
[In a place made of dreams, the more absurd answers are more frequently the correct ones. It should serve Naruhodo well if he can reach them, but if not—well, van Zieks won't mind performing a demonstration.]
no subject
W-well it's not as if I pull those solutions from nothing, you know...
[He's barely even had the chance to investigate here. Except-- ...Wait. Wait.]
...Wait a tick. Is... Is that the answer? You conjured these? Out of thin air?
[Is such a thing really possible, using dreamotion? He'd assume not, but then again, is it really any different from conjuring lightning? Or ice?]